Iceland: Circling the Land of Fire & Ice

A very important feature of our Iceland adventure is the limited group size, as nature expeditions are best experienced with fewer travelers.

• Trip price includes: Accommodations, services of Nat Hab's professional Expedition Leader(s) and local guides, all meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on final day, some gratuities, airport transfers for those arriving by air on Day 1 and departing by air on the final day, private whale watching tour, all activities and entrance fees, all taxes, permits and service fees.

• Internal air includes: Charter flight from Akureyri to Isafjordur and scheduled flight from Isafjordur back to Reykjavik (this will be listed separately on our invoicing).

Travel to and from the start and end point of your trip, alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, passport and visa fees (if any), optional activities, items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry and internet, etc.), airline baggage fees, required medical evacuation insurance, optional travel protection insurance.

Moderate
In order to participate in this trip, you must be able to walk unassisted at a steady pace for a minimum of 2 miles at a time over uneven terrain. Our itinerary involves daily walks or hikes of varied lengths over pavement, boardwalks, rough lava, glacial ice and earthen trails that can be muddy, slippery and uneven with roots and rocks (please note that all walks can be more difficult to navigate during inclement weather). Some hikes involve walking up and down hills. The group may also do multiple hikes a day, with total distances exceeding 3 miles. Those who would like to see the Askja Caldera will be required to walk approximately 4 miles round-trip, traversing up and down an incline. The highest elevation reached during the trip will be at the Askja Caldera, situated 3,600 feet above sea level. 

Several boat trips are also included, and while we generally spend time in more sheltered waters, there can be periods of rougher water during our excursions. Travelers concerned about bumpy movement or who are prone to seasickness should take this into consideration and may wish to take precautions. One boat in the Westfjords has saddle seating and can be uncomfortable for those with back issues. All travelers must also be able to get into and out of RIB boats, Zodiacs (rigid rubber boats) and other types of boats with minimal assistance. Optional activities include a moderate, sometimes steep glacier hike that requires the use of crampons (all specialized equipment is provided) and horseback riding which involves alertness, balance and strength. The trip involves many very early morning starts and long, full days of activities with little down time. Some drives between locations are long (4-5 hours or longer, depending on local conditions). Due to the diminutive stature of the local horses, the maximum rider weight each horse can carry is 250 pounds and an alternative activity will be provided for those who are unable to ride.

On custom or private departures with smaller groups, our ability to accommodate varying levels of physical abilities or interests is limited, since these trips are staffed with a single Expedition Leader who may be assisted, pending availability, by local guides.

Our grand Iceland adventure is different from more typical tour offerings. Though we do include some major highlights, we deliberately take you away from the most crowded tourist spots and into more remote locales that unveil Iceland’s rich natural history and traditional culture. Accordingly, we try to stay in more intimate and authentic accommodations in certain less-traveled locations. While comfortable, rooms and beds are often a bit smaller than those typically found in North America. However, the slight inconveniences are well worth it, as whatever we may forsake in space and luxury, we more than make up for in setting, surrounded by nature and solitude amid Iceland’s most awe-inspiring sights. Please be prepared to spend time outdoors in unpredictable weather, which may include heavy rain and wind—or perfect sunshine. Click here to see example photos of walks and hikes from our Iceland adventure.

And speaking of weather, while it's always changeable in Iceland, it does vary with the seasons and from one month to the next. Our trips run from July through September. July is high summer in Iceland, with the warmest annual temperatures (average high 57°F) and drier weather conditions, though it certainly can rain in July. August temperatures drop slightly, to an average of 55°F, though days become discernibly shorter by the middle of the month as the near-perpetual daylight begins to wane with the move toward autumn. September marks a vivid transition in Iceland as fall arrives, bringing crisp days and rich colors to the low-lying vegetation. The average high temperature in September is 50°F, but there are days when the high won't exceed the 40s. By September, when the Gulf Stream brings milder air from the Atlantic Ocean into contact with colder Arctic air, skies are often overcast, and rain and wind can be frequent. It's not unusual to experience four seasons in one day in September! Yet September also brings a huge drop-off in crowds, plus dark nights that offer the possibility of seeing the northern lights when the skies are clear. 

Please arrive in Reykjavik no later than 3:30 pm to be ready for a welcome dinner and briefing beginning at 5:30 pm. For those arriving by air, upon arrival at the Keflavik International Airport you will be met by our representative and transferred approximately one hour to the hotel. You are free to depart Keflavik at any time on the final day of the trip.

We can best serve you if our Natural Habitat Adventures Travel Desk makes your reservations, as our staff is intimately familiar with the special requirements of our program and can arrange the most efficient travel. Please call us at 800-543-8917. Note that while we offer you the best possible rates available to us on airfare and additional nights' accommodations, you may find better fares online.